The Man

I picked this book up at Coldfoot Alaska, on a motorcycle trip to the northern end of the Alaska Pipeline, and was riveted by the book. Despite being 887 pages long, and the fact that the "crisis" is long-telegraphed, the book is almost always a page-turner. In one sense, it takes us back to 1964, when a black president of the US would have been unwelcome by many. Yet, the book presages the resignation of Nixon -- discussing when a President should resign -- and the impeachment of Clinton, who, like the fictional Dilman, was in large part accused of sexual misconduct. Wallace deftly explores politics, personalities, ethics, and race relations in a divided nation.

Should be edited further, but a gripping tale of power, and the paradoxical stupidity and grandness of human nature. A book that will ensure we try to judge people by the content of their character and not the colour of their skin.

When i first read Man, i had a burning desire to read it again and again. each of the characters evoke such strong feelings (both positive and negative) and yet do not seem hypothetical. i was moved by the editorial (on the occassion of the President's swearing in) wherein it cautions the citizens of usa that the new president is not under test but the nation is.Douglas Dilman's constant anxieties about his ability to function as an effective president considering his racial background forms the central theme of the book. His impeachment trial and his subsequent vindication has all the ingredients of a thriller but still does not waver from the subtle portrayal of the different players of the game.Dilman in his trial appearance counters a query on prejudices mentions that one can have positive prejudices like prejudice against racism. This created a paradigm shift in those of us who consider prejudice as a dirty word and would like to avoid it all costs.an unputdownable book by any standards

A novel of the highest integrity. Thoroughly enjoyed and hard to put down. Some of the narratives i.e speeches given by particular characters are brilliant and inspired. It is probably one the few novels I have read that I think deserve "10" . Interesting too that the novel was written in '65.

So a book about the first black president. Well yes, but did you read Advice & Consent, a book about "the confirmation of a presidental appointment". The Man is very well written and gives us not only a story about the first black president, but an engaging look at what a "person on the outside" is like - his hopes (he is proud to be "An American"), his fears (don't shut the door if you are alone with a white woman), and how he copes (very well, but he doesn't know it). If you like "political stories", "intrigue stories", "Oh God, are there really people like this stories", or almost any other kind of story, READ IT. Of course I'm biased, I really liked it (the first six time I read it)! DeWayne White [[email protected]] PS: The reason for the review is I finally found another copy [I'd given away all I had], and I'm reading it for the seventh time.